ramblings of a Seattle travel, food and photography hound
As the season for the Issaquah Farmers Market draws to a close in two weeks, I wanted to write about my favorite food vendors. These are businesses that I consider to be first among equals, so to speak, businesses that sell uncompromisingly good food that I look forward to every time I'm visiting the market. Summertime would not be the same... Continue Reading →
Gobble Express started showing up at the Issaquah Famers Market this year, swapping the sole food truck location every other week with Maximus/Minimus. As the name suggests, Gobble Express specializes in turkey, as does the brick-and-mortar operation, called Gobble Restaurant, in Woodinville. The truck has a more limited menu, including smoked turkey legs. The first time... Continue Reading →
I'm a sucker for farmers markets. It's not only because they sell fresh local produce, but the fact that the produce may be native to the area and the prepared foods reflective of what the locals eat. Of those I've visited in the U.S., my personal favorite is not my city's Pike Place Market, Seattle's pride and... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite dessert flavorings is coconut. Coconut muffins, coconut ice cream, coconut cookies, Ted’s chocolate-haupia cream pie, the list goes on. No bettah place to have than Hawaii, yeah? At the KCC Farmers Market, one particular vendor has been selling young coconut for at least the last three of our visits. Chilled in... Continue Reading →
In the Seattle area, it's impossible not to see stalls run by Hmong growers at the farmers markets. Say what you will about their omnipresence at Pike Place Market, but their cut flowers and arrangements bring incredible color to an already vibrant local attraction. The Hmong now have stalls at farmers markets throughout Puget Sound. For many... Continue Reading →
Though he sells his produce from a walker, his boundless enthusiasm outshines any disability. He cheerily chats with customers and greets returning ones with equal aplomb. Darrell Westover, with help from his wife and other helpers, sells things he grows (hydroponically, as it turns out) on his farm in Maple Valley at the Issaquah Farmers... Continue Reading →
A sure sign of impending summer is the long-awaited appearance of the peony. It is greatly admired and revered in China and has unofficially been regarded as its national flower. More than ever, peonies have been popping up for sale here in the Seattle area (and I imagine elsewhere). When Costco and Trader Joe's begin... Continue Reading →
Last time, we missed out on the grilled abalone at the Saturday Farmers' Market. How is it that a mollusk long banned from fishing can make an appearance here in Hawaii? It turns out they are farmed off the coast by Big Island Abalone, which cultivates a Japanese species primarily for export. I was (am)... Continue Reading →
Tourists buy inexpensive souvenirs (and lots of crappy stuff) at the International Market Place, strategically situated in Waikiki on Kalakaua. The most enduring sight here is the giant 100-year-old banyan tree that seems to cover the entire open-air market like an enormous umbrella. Every time we're in Waikiki, we find ourselves walking through here, not because... Continue Reading →
The Honolulu Saturday Market is, without doubt, one of the best farmers markets in the country for foodies. It has its share of produce stalls; they mainly benefit the locals who come here for fresh fruits and vegetables. But, I’ll wager that the vast majority of visitors come here for the incredible selection of prepared... Continue Reading →
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